Water Crisis in Small Sasik Lagoon
In the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi region, the Small Sasik Lagoon is facing a severe water crisis. This year has posed a significant challenge for the Tuzly Lagoons. This was reported on Facebook by ecologist Ivan Rusev.
“For the first time in 50 years of observing this lagoon, I see it nearly dried up. Currently, its depth is only a few centimeters. There is a large accumulation of silt, especially near recreation areas that have unlawfully discharged sewage for years. The dam built nearby has also severely disrupted the water exchange,” Rusev noted.
The ecologist emphasized that before the 1980s, the lagoon was nourished by seawater, but since then, the situation has changed dramatically. The summer runoff from the Danube has been incredibly low, leading to a water supply crisis.
Rusev also shared photos showing the tracks of river otters that used to thrive here but now have to travel significant distances for food. Numerous bird tracks were also observed, particularly of migratory shorebirds passing through the National Nature Park “Tuzly Lagoons.”
“The Small Sasik Lagoon has been in a critical state for decades, and soon these once-unique waters may completely dry up, losing their recreational appeal,” he concluded.
